Surfboard control device and footpiece combination

ABSTRACT

A surfing device and footwear combination, comprising a removable foot pad element having an elevated rear section and a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements disposed on an upper surface. The removable foot pad element is positioned on a top surface of a surfboard. A plurality of grip elements are spaced on the top surface of the surfboard, and have a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements disposed on an upper surface. The plurality of grip elements are positioned on the top surface of the surfboard. A footpiece formed and configured to fit onto a person&#39;s foot and including a substantially planar reinforced sole portion and a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements on a bottom surface, so that the plurality of hook and loop fastening elements may grip to the removable foot pad and plurality of grip elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 37 C.F.R. 1.77(a)(7)

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to an improved foot piece and control mechanism for surfboards, and more particularly to a surfboard launch pad and bootie combination for improved control and maneuverability of surfboards.

[0004] 2. Background Art

[0005] Various surfboards and accessories have been proposed and implemented for improved ride, control, and enjoyment of surfing. Further, both surfboards and accessories have been disclosed and developed with auxiliary devices to hold and position the user on the board. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,082 issued to Cox, Aug. 25, 1981, discloses a surfboard safety and control accessory using strips of Velcro or Velcro-like material on the surfboard, wetsuit, and bootie.

[0006] Other modifications of surfboards for greater control and maneuverability may be found, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,466 issued to Ellis, Feb. 24, 1987, where a foot piece with Velcro or Velcro-like material is secured to a surfboard and to bootie. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,743 issued to Simonson, Oct. 3, 1995, a surfboard with ribbed side rail has a removable layer of unbroken loop nylon material overlying a layer of closed cell foam material to aid the user in control of the surfboard.

[0007] The present invention is a surfboard control device and footwear combination allowing for vastly greater control and maneuverability of a surfboard. The device and footwear allow far greater pull and push with the users legs and enhanced ability to perform tricks and to launch the surfboard form the water for aerial maneuvers. The device comprises a removable pad with an elevated heel section, a surface of the pad is covered at least in part with hook and loop type fastening material, and one or more removable grip elements positioned on the surfboard in proximity to the removable pad. The footwear combination comprises a bootie or neoprene foot cover with a substantially flat or planar sole having a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements, such as Velcro, secured thereto. This combination allows the user far greater control of the surfboard, prevents slipping on the surfboard surface, and greatly facilitates aerial maneuvers and tricks. The present invention may be provided as a device to modify an existing surfboard, or as a surfboard which includes the device so it may be used with the foot wear combination.

[0008] Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a device and footwear combination for enhanced control and maneuverability of surfboards. A further object of the invention is to provide a device and footwear combination allowing for greater safety when surfing and to reduce foot slippage on the surfboard.

[0009] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentality's and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 37 C.F.R. 1.77(a)(8)

[0011] To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein a surfing device and footwear combination is provided, comprising a removable foot pad element having an elevated rear section and a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements disposed on an upper surface. The removable foot pad element is positioned on a top surface of a surfboard. A plurality of grip elements are spaced on the top surface of the surfboard, and have a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements disposed on an upper surface. The plurality of grip elements are positioned on the top surface of the surfboard. A footpiece or bootie formed and configured to fit onto a person's foot and including a substantially planar reinforced sole portion and a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements on a bottom surface thereof, so that the plurality of hook and loop fastening elements may grip to the removable foot pad and plurality of grip elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and, together with a general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0013]FIG. 1 shows a surfboard with the surfboard control device, according to the invention.

[0014]FIG. 2 shows the footpiece combination as used with the components shown in FIG. 1, according to the invention.

[0015]FIG. 3 shows the foot pad component of such surfboard control device and footpiece combination, according to the invention.

[0016]FIG. 4 shows a grip element of such device, according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] 37 C.F.R. 1.77(a)(10)

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0019] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a surfboard control device and footpiece combination, comprising a removable foot pad element having an elevated rear section and a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements disposed on an upper surface. The removable foot pad element may positioned on a top surface of a surfboard by adhesives, plastics, wax, or the like. A plurality of grip elements are positioned spaced on said upper surface of the surfboard. Preferably, the grip elements have a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements disposed on an upper surface. The grip elements are positioned on the top surface of the surfboard by adhesives, resins, plastics, wax, or other binding agent. A footpiece or bootie formed and configured to fit onto a person's foot is also provided and includes a substantially planar reinforced sole portion and a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements on a bottom surface, so that the plurality of hook and loop fastening elements may grip to the removable foot pad and plurality of grip elements.

[0020] There is also provided, according to the invention, an improved surfing device, comprising a surfboard having a top surface, a removable foot pad element having an elevated rear section and a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements disposed on an upper surface. The removable foot pad element being positioned on the top surface of the surfboard by adhesives, resins, wax, plastics, or other binding agent. A plurality of grip elements positioned and spaced on the top surface of the surfboard have a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements disposed on an upper surface thereof and are positioned on a top surface of the surfboard preferably in proximity to the footpad. A footpiece is also provided that is formed and configured to fit onto a person's foot and includes a substantially planar reinforced sole portion and a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements on a bottom surface, so that the plurality of hook and loop fastening elements grip to the removable foot pad and plurality of grip elements allowing for enhanced control and performance.

[0021] In FIG. 1, a surfboard control device 10 for enhancing maneuverability and control of a surfboard 12, with top surface 14 is shown. FIG. 2 shows the footpiece combination 32 operable with surfboard control device 10. The device 10 may be provided as a surfboard with the device and combination footpiece 32 used therewith, or supplied separately from the surfboard 12 so a user could position and affix the device on any chosen surfboard.

[0022] As seen in FIG. 1, surfboard control device 10 preferably comprises a foot pad element 16 having an elevated rear section 18 and a plurality of raised ridges 20. However, in alternative embodiments the raised ridges may be eliminated. The upper surface 24 of foot pad 16 has a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements or Velcro secured thereon by adhesives, resins, wax, plastics, or other binding agent. Foot pad 16 is removable from top surface 14 of surfboard 12, and may be supplied as part of a surfboard or as a separate device that a user can attach to a chosen surfboard as desired. However, in alternative embodiments, foot pad 16 may be permanently adhered to surfboard 12 if desired by adhesives, resins, plastics of other binding agent.

[0023] A plurality of grip elements 26 are positioned and spaced on the top surface 14 of surfboard 12. Grip elements 26 have a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements 28 or Velcro secured to upper surface 30 by adhesives, resins, wax, plastics, or other binding agent. Grip elements 26 may be spaced and positioned as desired, but preferably in proximity to foot pad element 16. Grip elements 26 are preferably secured to a top surface of a surfboard by adhesives, resins, wax, plastics, or other binding agent and which may be made removable or permanent.

[0024] With reference now to FIG. 2, footpiece or bootie 32 formed and configured to fit onto a person's foot and including a substantially planar reinforced sole 34 is shown. The planar reinforced sole facilitates and enhances the grip between foot piece 32 and foot pad 16 and grip elements 26. Footpiece 32 is provided with a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements 36 or Velcro on a bottom surface 38 so that the plurality of hook and loop fastening elements 36 grip to removable foot pad 16 and/or one or more or the plurality of grip elements 26. The plurality of hook and loop fastening elements 36 may be secured to footpiece or bootie 32 by adhesives, resins, heat, or other binding agent.

[0025] In FIG. 3, foot pad 16 is shown removed from a surfboard. Foot pad 16 has an elevated rear section and preferably a plurality of raised ridges 20. Hook and loop fastening elements 22 or Velcro is placed on the upper surface 24. These fastening elements grip and adhere to the hook and loop fastening elements 36 of footpiece 32.

[0026] In FIG. 4 a grip element 26 is shown with upper surface 30 and hook and loop fastening elements 28 or Velcro adhered to upper surface 30. One or more grip elements may be positioned and attached to the upper surface of a surfboard by adhesives, resins, wax, plastics, or other binding agent, either in proximity to footpad element 16, or spaced at a desired distance chosen for a particular surf situation or maneuver.

[0027] In operation and use, surfboard control device 10 and footpiece 32 combination, is very efficient and reliable, for securing, enhancing and greatly increasing the ability to control and maneuver a surfboard. The present invention may be provided as a surfboard which includes footpad 16 and grip elements 26. Footpiece 32 is used in combination with such surfboard. Or, alternatively, footpad 16 and grip elements 26 and footpiece 32 may be sold separate from a surfboard, so a user could simply apply the foot pad and the grip elements to a chosen board by adhesives, resins, wax, or other binding agent. Or the foot pad and grip elements may sold with a binding layer of adhesives or the like pre-applied thereto.

[0028] Additional advantages and modification will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved surfing device, comprising: a surfboard having a top surface: a removable foot pad element having an elevated rear section and a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements disposed on an upper surface, said removable foot pad element being positioned on said top surface of said surfboard; a plurality of grip elements spaced on said top surface of said surfboard, said grip elements having a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements disposed on an upper surface; said plurality of grip elements being positioned on said top surface of said surfboard: a footpiece formed and configured to fit onto a person's foot and including a substantially planar reinforced sole portion and a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements on a bottom surface, so that the plurality of hook and loop fastening elements may grip to the removable foot pad and plurality of grip elements.
 2. The improved surfing device of claim 1, wherein said removable foot pad has a plurality of elevated ridges.
 3. The improved surfing device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of grip elements are placed in proximity to said removable pad.
 4. A surfboard control device and footpiece combination, comprising: a removable foot pad element having an elevated rear section and a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements disposed on an upper surface, said removable foot pad element being positioned on a top surface of a surfboard; a plurality of grip elements spaced on said upper surface of said surfboard, said grip elements having a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements disposed on an upper surface; said plurality of grip elements being positioned on said top surface of said surfboard: a footpiece formed and configured to fit onto a person's foot and including a substantially planar reinforced sole portion and a plurality of hook and loop fastening elements on a bottom surface, so that the plurality of hook and loop fastening elements may grip to the removable foot pad and plurality of grip elements.
 5. The improved surfing device of claim 4, wherein said removable foot pad has a plurality of elevated ridges.
 6. The improved surfing device of claim 4, wherein said plurality of grip elements are placed in proximity to said removable pad. 